Windows 10 Features we bet you don’t know

Windows 10 has been the best operating system yet, it has so many features that it is hard to know all of them. In this article we go through some features that you may not even know of!

1. Virtual Desktops

Windows allows multiple virtual desktops within the same login. This may be useful if you have a single computer between your home and work. At work, you switch to your work ‘mode’ and switch back to home mode after work. This declutters your desktop and avoids your work colleagues see your embarrassing cat videos you’ve been watching!

How to use: Press the windows key and Tab, you’ll see a new desktop button visible at the bottom right of your screen

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2. Drag to Pin Windows

Often you like to view two windows side by side (especially when you have a single screen). This ‘snap’ feature helps you arrange windows so you can use your screen space better.

How to use: You can either click and hold the title bar of the window and drag it to either end of the screen OR use the windows key + left/right to snap the window in either direction. Then resize the window as required.

3. Shake to see desktop

Depending on how organised you are with your desktop, often, you need to preview the desktop to see documents. This feature minimises all the windows and shows you the desktop.

How to use: hold the title bar of any window and shake it side to side

4. Windows start menu

The windows start menu is more intuitive than you think. Following are somethings you can do with it:

Adjust the tile sizes to make the ones that you use often big, and the rest small

Moment to press start, you can start typing the program you’re looking for. Saves a lot of time going from keyboard to mouse

You can right click on the start menu for some quick settings options

You can create dividers to separate the work, home, and play apps

You can resize the start menu to whatever size you want if you’d like to pack it full of tiles

5. Do you use Cortana?

Cortana is your digital agent. She’ll help you get things done. Set it up to respond to your voice – just like Siri you wont even have to type!

Here are some things Cortana can do for you:

Give you reminders based on time, places, or people.

Track packages, teams, interests, and flights.

Send emails and texts.

Manage your calendar and keep you up to date.

Create and manage lists.

Chit chat and play games.

Find facts, files, places, and info.

Open any app on your system.

How to use: To get started, type a question in the search box, or select the microphone and talk to Cortana. (Typing works for all types of PCs, but you need a mic to talk.)

6. Go to Desktop short cuts

Going back to desktop sometimes is good to get back to your icons (or if you’re like me, the central place where I put all my files).

How to use: Click on the slim, vertical line at the end of the task bar or press Windows key + D

7. Address bar in your task bar

If you’re as lazy as I am (or as efficient as I am), I want to be able to go to a web address no matter what screen I’m on. Avoids to having to go to the browser, open a new tab and type the address. With this address bar in the task bar, you can simply enter the address and press enter. This opens up your default browser and opens your site in a new tap.

How to use: Right click on the main screen of your task bar > toolbars > Address

8. Hidden screen recorder

Often times, you have someone show you things on your screen and if it is more than 3 steps we tend to forget! You can easily record what’s happening on your screen.

How to use: Press Windows key + ALT + R. You’ll need to sign in with a Microsoft account to be able to sign into the app. It uses Xbox live to do this. Gamers often use this to show others how to get to that secret spot (glad they have time for this!)

9. Sketch

At the bottom of your screen next to the clock you will see a pen icon. This has multiple features inside it.

You can have a sticky note screen whereby it overlays your current workspace with a sticky note screen

Sketchpad, where you can draw (if you have a touch screen) a sketch or diagram and email the picture

Screenshot sketch – you can instantly take a screenshot and start drawing on it to highlight certain things

Schedule your restarts-I don’t know about you but Windows always wants to restart when I’m busy! So now if I see the first alert, I simply schedule my restart when I go to bed.

How to use: Click settings cog on the left from start menu > Updates & Security > Restart options